The Compact Challenge 2010 (formally "Need help for a challenge")

pink_numbers

I spoke to my ex on the phone (he's about 300 miles away, otherwise I would've gone down to see them), and the kitty was put to sleep earlier this evening. He's understandably distraught, as am I, but he was 18 years old, which is tremendous for a little old kitty.

I can send you some yarn if you like? I have them coming out of here there and everywhere around my house. I need to go to the post office anyway as I want to post a framed photo of the kitty to his dad. Haven't got any hooks to spare at the moment, but I will keep an eye out for them for you when I go charity shopping

415SanFran

I really am sorry to hear about your cat, I had no idea they could live that long, good to know you have lots of photo's of him and you will always have your fond memories. i wish there was something that I could say to make you feel better. I'm Sorry I really do feel for you.:kisses3:

Honestly No, Thank you, the wool I am fine for I know plenty of people that knit, do needles come in different sizes like knitting needles?

pink_numbers

yes they do, anything from a lace needle to usually about 10mm or 12mm. Most hooks come in 0.5 mm units as well. If you do find a bunch, the one I tend to use most is 4.0mm, as that is normally the recommended hook for a double knit, and I personally like to knit with DK weight yarn.

Thanks for your comments re the kitty, I'm better today. It's my ex I feel sorry for, as he had to make the decision to have him put down.

I finished making THAT bag, I am going to throw it in for a hot wash and cross my fingers!

Are you all snowed in today? It's bitterly cold here, and icy, but not too much snow. I think today will be another NSD, as I don't want to risk going out and slipping on the ice!

pink_numbers

just wanted to add, I may have come across a bit forward in offering to send you some yarn!! It wasn't my intension to come across as pushy! Sorry

Aril

Hi Pink Numbers
Congratulations the challenge seems to be going well. I actually joined the yahoo compact group and am catching up slowly on a lot of the posts on the non consumer advocate blog. I find it quite refreshing that she openly admits that she slips up sometimes and is still a work in progress:D
With regards to coffee makers after our one died 5 years ago we took an earthenware jug and bought a cheapie fine mesh tea strainer to go with it. We use it daily and it's been fab [I find Lidl coffee works out at a good price] . The only waste to deal with then are the grounds which I compost.
I wondered if you are on freecycle as that may be a good way to pick up crafty bits and pieces or jumble sales if you have any still in your area. I bought some cotton yarn from one last year for 25p and made 5 dishcloths with it. The other thing my friends and I do is swap books etc - I love paperbacks and it always means that I've got something new to read.
Shall be watching your progress with interest!
Aril

415SanFran

NO Not pushy at all! Sorry I didn't mean to come across that way!
I was actually thinking more of the miles, and it seemed silly when I know people locally. thank you it was a lovely gesture.

Does this mean you will be joining us Aril?
That is a good idea about the coffee and if the holder thingy does not last long enough it will be cheaper to pick up a teapot out of the charily shop, in fact,,,hold the phone, even if it does last you have been using the pot for 5 years you say? The cost of a cheap teapot second hand is a one off thing probably only costing the same or less.....Ow thanks.
My dishclothes, floor clothes, bathroom clothes, were once a flannel pillow case in a former life. As you say about 25p in a charity shop.

pink_numbers

Hi Aril, thank you so much for your advice. As SanFran says, it will be fab if you can join us, the more the merrier I'd say! How are you finding the posts in the yahoo group? Have you found anything interesting?

Great tip about coffee, I will bare that in mind if our little army of cafetiere dies off. I would imagine you will have to find a very fine meshed strainer to keep all the bits out of the water?

I'm planning on doing the rounds of charity shops & car boot sales when I start running low on yarn... although that's probably not for a long while looking at my stash... :rotfl:

I love swapping books with friends. It's also great way to share something you've learnt and love talking to them afterwards about it

SanFran, I'm glad I didn't offend you, this thread and yourself have been such a good support through this that I hate to come across in the wrong way. It does make sense about the distance though

I was thinking of changing the title of this thread to something more appropriate, something like "The Compact Challenge" or "The Buy Nothing New Challenge", what do you think? Any suggestions will be great as I suck at coming up with titles!

I have decided, I am going to start reporting on things I get tempted to buy, such for fun. I get urges each day going "wooo I'd love to have that", but not seriously considering buying it. I want to see how many of these urges I get, and how long they last. I suspect I will be surprised at how little they bother me, even though I used to succumb to these urges and rush out and buy them in my former life :rolleyes:

So today, I wanted silicone cupcake moulds... not that I don't have any, I have a set of 6 normal and 8 mini ones (bought from pound shop last year). I just thought it would be neat to have another set so that I can make a batch of the same size cupcakes rather than having to pull them out at different times due to their different sizes! I shall keep an eye out for them at charity shops, but I honestly don't NEED them...

I did have a baking success yesterday, first successful gluten free, sugar free cupcakes! I also made a batch of GF and SF brownies, which disappeared rather quickly, although not by me!

Aril

Hello back again!
I think I bought the strainer from Wilkinsons and yes, although a tea strainer, it does have a very fine mesh to stop the grounds all getting through. I needed something after OH was made redundant and felt I couldn't justify the cost of a new coffee maker at the time. Our way has worked well for us so haven't bothered to buy a new machine.
With regards to the compact living posts- when I get time to read them I do enjoy them but I don't always understand the references as they are American. It's a shame really that there isn't a British equivalent. From some of the posts I've read it has given me some new ideas.
I would like to join the challenge but I think it will have to be a diluted down version that fits in with having a husband and an 11 year old. I already use some of the principles eg buying some good quality 2nd gifts aswell as new, all my clothes other than undies and shoes are 2nd hand etc etc. I will do as much as I can around working full time and running a home.
Look forward to sharing more ideas with you if I have anything useful to suggest
Aril

pink_numbers

Welcome back Aril! :hello:

Have you checked the european compact group? It's the closest thing to British we're going to get I think (for a start, I managed to get a blog name of compactUK without any trouble, so there can't be many about). I know there are several people online that are UK based, but they haven't formed a group yet as such. Maybe too few people.

I think watered down or not, it's tremendous that you are giving it a go, and we always love nattering about the challenge

415SanFran

Aril, I also have children still at home, they do a lot of sporting activities, and will only wear branded clothes the shirts and jeans have to be Calvin Klein or YSL or if they are slumming it :rolleyes: the little crocodile brand. so they are not part of this in any way shape or form. I have spoilt them in the past and started this off, it not fair for me to suddenly say " Sorry lads, but it all stops here" But they do not know that the last 3 CK shirts have come off ebay because it sill had tags. Not the last 5 PS3 games.

I'm OK with the US compact thing for instance a CD is the same as a UK ISA, but I read that without thinking. But I could interpret anything that you need. I don't think about it till someone askes.

I went into town today,,,,,could you believe I couldn't find a teapot anywhere? You watch when I do get hold of one there will be about 10.
And I was really good,,,,no rubbish just what I needed to do, still ended up with a library fine though. Only 70p but I really should pay attention to things like that.